I’d like to start off by saying if you are familiar with me, my story and my previous articles, you may already know why it is that I have a pair of wheels with me. To help get me along in my day to day life. If not, you definitely clicked on the right composition.
I feel the need to forewarn you that I will be talking about a very touchy subject, one that I know most people can’t take in without it bothering them drastically… but it is a part of my story, and I’m proud that I can lay everything out on the table the way that I have and will continue to do.
It is something we all know exists, but we like to go about our lives like one day it will stop, because it should not be occurring to begin with. We hope with our all that we don’t have to hear of someone suffering from it.
Yet even with that being said, there is always another case being discussed in the news, on social media, or even amongst people we know.
The Two Terrible Words, Child Abuse.
I was a child of abuse, by my own dad, when I was just 9 months old. That’s the reason I have a wheelchair. While I am a very positive person by nature, I can’t and won’t even try to deny that the way I ended up not being able to walk is terrible. Say I wasn’t me, and I heard that an individual went through what I did, it would hit me pretty hard.
Growing up, there was always remarkable happiness within me. I was happy to be alive. When you realize you are lucky to be taking breaths, it really is a game changer.
Being abused never once defined who I was as a human being. And not by chance either. It’s because I never let it. There’s a famous quote that goes something like this:
“While you don’t have control over what happens to you, the way you chose to respond is all up to you”.
I find that to be quite fitting for what I am saying here. Living along the lines of that phrase has allowed me to see how strong I am and continue to be. I, like everyone else, have my fair share of ups and downs. A part of life and unavoidable no matter who you are.
However, when I’m going through those moments I’m regularly looking back and I remember I made it through something terrible and I see that whatever it is I’m facing right now really isn’t so bad. Once you’ve been through the worst of the worst, it becomes a bit easier to hold your breath through any other waves that may come your way.
If you have been through child abuse, I literally feel your pain. A very different kind of affliction, knowing you were in harm’s way during a time when you couldn’t defend yourself. No words can describe how much that hurts. And if it wasn’t that type of abuse, going through any kind of abuse takes a bit of a toll to the soul. At the same time, it is an eye opener showing you that you can overcome… because you already have.
That’s a big thing. Something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let that pride absorb you, because believe me after everything you’ve been through you beyond deserve it. When we think of the things about ourselves we’re most proud of, being a survivor should be at the top of that list.
In my world, I steer clear of the word victim. Why? Because being a victim is equivalent to saying I was defeated, and that is the furthest thing from the truth. When you survive something that was meant to destroy you, you have beat the odds.
My goal here is for you to recognize that every time that ‘anniversary’ date comes around and you’ve made it another year after the abuse, you deserve to celebrate life and your ability to endure and thrive after the storm has passed. I’m very proud of myself for overcoming, and I would really like to see others doing the same. Going about it that way too.
Give Yourself A Pat on the Back Because Life’s Worst Day Didn’t Succeed in Keeping You Down.
There aren’t many redos in this life. This is all we get, I had to make sure to get my opinion out there. You can have the best life possible and those dark days can allow a light to shine through that you didn’t know existed, if you just open up the right window.
Not everyone gets a chance to survive, and if you do, it’s essential to realize how lucky you are. Spread the words of encouragement to others that healing is possible, and don’t forget to motivate yourself with the reality that you are a conqueror. This one was all you guys, I wish you the best.